Maryland DNR Selects Final Hunting and Trapping Regulation Proposals

By: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Posted on: 03/28/12

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service has completed an important step toward finalizing the hunting and trapping season and bag limit regulation proposals for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 seasons. The proposed hunting regulation changes, which included extensive public input, were recently endorsed by the Maryland Wildlife Advisory Commission (WAC).

“We are very pleased with the level of thoughtful input we received during all aspects of the public comment period,” said Associate Director for Game Management at DNR, Pete Jayne. “It’s always productive for us to hear from so many passionate supporters of Maryland’s rich wildlife resources. While most comments were from hunters and trappers, we also heard from a diverse group of non-hunters, hikers, bikers, farmers and landowners. We received over 1,000 comments during nearly two months of public participation and this input led us to make several changes in the proposals.”

To gather citizen input, DNR held a public comment process that began in January. This included two stakeholder meetings, two public meetings and a new, popular online comment submission forum. The proposed regulations that will now move forward to the final steps in the process are summarized below.

Hunter Orange AdditionRequire persons that are bowhunting deer in the bear hunting zone to meet the hunter orange requirements while the bear season is open.

River OtterReopen the river otter season with a season limit of one in Allegany and Garrett counties. River otter season has been closed in these counties since a re-introduction project was initiated in the mid-1990s. The otter population is considered to be restored in key watersheds and limited harvest will not affect overall population levels.

Fox Season ExtensionExtend the season for red and grey foxes by two weeks in both fox management zones for shooting only. Trapping seasons will remain unchanged. This extension will allow for additional recreation and give landowners more options when managing fox populations.

Crossbow TransportAllow an unloaded but cocked crossbow to be placed in or on a vehicle. Previously, crossbows had to be uncocked before being transported in a vehicle, creating logistical issues for many crossbow hunters.

White-tailed DeerCreate a statewide bag limit for antlered deer (bucks) and reduce the overall buck bag limit to three per year, one per weapon season (i.e., bow season, muzzleloader season, and firearm season). Hunters in Region B will have the option to take one additional bonus buck (for a total of four) during the weapon season of their choice after purchasing a Bonus Antlered Deer stamp and taking two antlerless deer in Region B during any deer hunting season. This change should produce a higher proportion of mature bucks in the population and is anticipated to encourage more hunters to take antlerless deer. Prior to this change, the statewide bag limit was nine bucks. Managing for older bucks and increasing antlerless deer harvest are consistent with DNR’s deer management goals.

White-tailed DeerExpand the current unlimited antlerless bag limit for bow season in the Suburban Archery Zone to all of Deer Management Region B. This change will simplify regulations and remove the need for the Suburban Archery Zone. Taking additional antlerless deer in Region B is consistent with DNR’s deer management goals.

White-tailed DeerExtend the archery season for white-tailed and sika deer to open on the first Friday after Labor Day each year (September 7, 2012 and September 6, 2013).

White-tailed DeerModify the existing regulations that limit the transport of deer carcasses and deer parts outside of the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Area in eastern Allegany County. The modifications will allow hunters to transport deer leg quarters out of the CWD Management Area and to take deer to approved taxidermists. These changes will make the transport of deer more convenient for hunters without increasing the risk of spreading the disease to other portions of the state.

Sika DeerIn addition, the Wildlife Advisory Commission supported a recommendation from DNR to withdraw the proposal requiring legal antlered sika deer to have at least one branched antler. Hunters may still practice voluntary restraint when selecting antlered sika deer for harvest.

Hunting Cartoons

Here is a tip that was passed along to me - and I have not tried it yet - but it looks (and smells) like it will work fine! The gentleman that gave it to me regards it as his secret weapon and he is a VERY successful hunter.
Get a fresh tarsal gland off of a decent buck - I think the ranker, the better. Taking them off of bucks that are hot in the rut seem to be the best because that is when the glands are the darkest and have the most "male buck" scent...
Take that gland and put it in a good,...